SwRI: EMCR Test capabilities at SwRI

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) offers a full range of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) services. Extensive facilities and equipment combined with an experienced staff provide unique capabilities to assist clients during product development. Since 1956, SwRI has developed EMC standards, specifications, hardware, and software for a variety of applications, including the following:

EMC Test Capabilities

MIL-STD Test Capabilities

RTCA-DO-160

FCC

	Using a ceiling-mounted aluminum stirrer turned by a pneumatic motor, the SwRI stirred mode facility efficiently tests whole vehicles and smaller systems. The position of the stirrer is monitored through a fiber-optic link.

SwRI maintains an extensive inventory of EMC test equipment covering frequencies from DC to 110 GHz, including:

• Receivers

• Spectrum analyzers

• Probes

• Signal sources

• RF amplifiers

• Antennas

SwRI also maintains a variety of custom equipment for specialized automotive, avionics, and medical testing. This equipment and auxiliary generic test equipment are calibrated regularly by accredited quality assurance specialists here at SwRI.

SwRI developed a unique direct injection test method to test automotive air bag initiators and other electro-explosive devices (EEDs) for radio frequency immunity.

Computers and software are configured to perform computer-controlled tests. SwRI's local area network facilitates on-line data reduction capabilities and allows private client access to data. SwRI capabilities include:

Conducted Emissions (CE)

• Conducted switching transients

• Conducted narrow-band and broad-band emissions

Radiated Emissions (RE)

• Automated testing from 30 Hz to 110 GHz

Conducted Immunity (CI)

• Conducted transients

• High-voltage sinusoidal bursts (10 kHz to 220 MHz)

• Radio frequency (RF) injection at discrete frequencies from 0.5 MHz to 18 GHz

• Lightning transients

• AC power crosses and surges

Radiated Immunity (RI)

• Transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell testing from DC to 1 GHz

• Tri-plate-line testing from 10 kHz

• Shielded enclosure testing:

• 10 kHz to 2.8 GHz at 200 V/m

• 2.8 GHz to 18 GHz up to 100 V/m

• Open area test site (OATS) at licensed discrete frequencies from 10 kHz to 18 GHz up to 100 V/m

Electrostatic Discharge

• Positive or negative polarity from -25 kV to 25 kV

	SwRI tests small satellites and subsystems for electromagnetic compatibility in accordance with military and NASA specifications such as MIL-STD-461 and MSFC-521B.

General EMC Standards

• IEC

• FAA/RTCA

• FCC

• FDA

• EC/EN

• SAE

• CSA

• CISPR

• ISO

• ANSI

Specific EMC Standards

• MIL-STD 461/462

• FDA EMC guidelines

• IEEE DoD 587, RTCA/DO-160

• MIL-STD-1686, DoD-HDBK-283 (ESD programs)

• IEC-801/IEC-1000/EN-61000

• Telcordia (Bellcore) GR-1089-CORE

• SAE J551 and J1113

SwRI tests small satellites and subsystems for electromagnetic compatibility in accordance with military and NASA specifications such as MIL-STD-461 and MSFC-521B.

	Motorcycle in anechoic chamber

Computer-Controlled Testing

SwRI has developed software to automate most routine EMC tests. Computer-assisted calibration ensures reproducible and repeatable test results, which are important during the development of preproduction equipment. Test data are available for each test point, allowing detailed study of equipment performance during the test.

Vehicle EMC Design Evaluation

SwRI performs automotive component and whole-vehicle tests for compliance with SAE, U.S., and international EMC vehicular industry standards. These services can be performed at any stage in development – from initial concept to final production. After analyses and investigation, SwRI can offer modification suggestions and services to the client.

	Telecommunications equipment at the open-area test site

Medical Devices

SwRI tests electronic medical implants, monitoring equipment, and diagnostic equipment to European Union standards and to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) Reviewer Guidance for Premarket Notification Submissions.

Telecommunication Devices

SwRI tests central office and shelf-mount telecommunications equipment for EMC, earthquake resistance, and fire in accordance with the Telcordia GR-1089-CORE test standard. SwRI also tests cell phones and other intentional radiators to FCC regulations.

For more information about electromagnetic compatibility test capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Jenny Ferren at jferren@swri.org or (210) 522-2329.  We can offer you insights about how to specify the best approach to solving your EMC problem.